Still Time to #Lovewhereyoulive and Join thousands Of Litter Picking Heroes across Wales to Spring Clean Cymru

The annual litter picking campaign runs until Sunday 6 April.

Litter picking heroes have been out in force across Wales over the last week as communities unite to clean up their local neighbourhoods and beauty spots as part of Spring Clean Cymru 2025.   

And with the campaign continuing for the next week, look out for more families, friends, community groups, schools, businesses and individuals cleaning up their local area. 

More than 250 events involving around 6,500 participants have already been organised, with more signing up on a daily basis as news about the annual event grows. 

Participants can register their own event – such as litter picking their street, local park, beach or other beauty spot – or sign up to join an organised clean-up on the Keep Wales Tidy website. Litter picking equipment is available to borrow, with details of local Litter Picking Hubs also on the website. 

Spring Clean Cymru is part of the Great British Spring Clean, run in England by Keep Britain Tidy and in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful. 

Every single piece of litter collected and safely disposed of makes a difference in protecting the environment in Wales, whether you pick up one bag or 100. 

The event got off to a record-breaking start when it launched on Friday 21 March, as 1,327 people broke the Guinness World Record for Most Participants in a River Clean-up (at Multiple Locations).  The clean up the River Taff was organised by leading environmentalist Kate Strong and freshwater expert Dr Numair Masud and was supported by Keep Wales Tidy and other like-minded organisations The attempt saw hundreds of bags of litter collected at various locations along the River Taff, including Merthyr Tydfil, Pontypridd and Cardiff’s Taff Embankment and Cardiff Bay. 

Wales’ Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change, Huw Irranca-Davies said: “Well done to all the volunteers who have taken part in Spring Clean Cymru so far and llongyfarchiadau, congratulations, to all those who helped clean up the River Taff and set a new World Record in the process – you’re all helping to create a cleaner, greener Wales. 

“And it’s not just about the two weeks of the campaign. With ongoing funding from Welsh Government for the coming year, and more than 240 Keep Wales Tidy hubs across Wales, people up and down the country can borrow litter picking equipment and help to tidy up their local areas all year round, improving the environment not only for people but for wildlife too. 

“I got to see first-hand the great work involved in this year’s Spring Clean Cymru campaign at Ty Mawr Country Park in Wrexham, where volunteers were getting stuck in. Diolch i bob gwirfoddolwyr. 

“No one can do everything to protect nature and our environment, but everyone can do something. Together we can make a difference.” 

Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive Owen Derbyshire said: “Thank you to the Minister for his kind words in recognising the invaluable contribution made by litter picking volunteers across Wales and for leading by example by joining Spring Clean Cymru and making a difference in Wrexham. 

“Our message this year is #LoveWhereYouLive and we see that in everyone who has signed up to Spring Clean Cymru so far this year. Every single piece of litter collected and disposed of properly helps create a cleaner, greener Wales for everyone, and protects our environment and wildlife. 

He added: “Sadly, litter is not a problem that can be solved in just two weeks, and we are very grateful to the fantastic volunteers who litter pick all year round, as well as the additional funding made available by the Welsh Government to support this. We hope those joining in for the first time see what a difference we can make when we all come together and be encouraged to take part in future litter picking events. 

“There’s still more than a week left to get involved in Spring Clean Cymru. Head to our website to register an event or sign up to one taking place in your local area. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never taken part before – all the information you need is on our website. 

You can register or search for a Spring Clean event near you on the Keep Wales Tidy website: www.keepwalestidy.cymru